The Aravalli hills — among the oldest mountain ranges on Earth — are Gurugram’s lifeline. They recharge groundwater, buffer against dust storms, provide habitat for 200+ bird species, and moderate temperatures in an increasingly hot city. Without the Aravalli, Gurugram would be significantly drier, hotter, and more polluted.
And yet, the Aravalli is under relentless pressure. Illegal mining, encroachment, and construction have destroyed significant portions of the forest. The Punjab Land Preservation Act — which protects trees in southern Haryana — is inconsistently enforced.
On World Forest Day, Gurgaon First calls on citizens to know their local forests, report illegal tree-felling, support organisations working on Aravalli protection, and demand that the GMDA maintain green cover in every new development.